Textile machine



Jan. 2, 1968 T. E. PITTS 3,361,374

TEXTILE MACHINE Filed Sept. 20. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

THOMAS E. P/TTS UUUU AT TORN S 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. THOMAS E. P/TTS ATTORNEYS 12% Wm M T. E. PITTS TEXTILE MACHINE Jan. 2, 1968 Filed Sept. 20, 1965 United States Patent 3,361,374 TEXTILE MACHINE Thomas E. Pitts, Cranston, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,653 14 Claims. (Cl. 24235.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bobbin receptacle for carrying supply bobbins to positions adjacent winding stations of a multiple station textile machine. A drive mechanism is provided for propelling the receptacle along the machine and a handle operates a clutch to couple the receptacle to the drive mechanism for movement in a forward direction or in a reverse direction, and when the handle is released, the clutch is so operated that the receptacle automatically advances to a waiting position at a selected end of the machine.

The present invention relates generally to textile machines and more specifically to an improved bobbin transporting mechanism for use with a textile machine.

Bobbin transporting mechanisms in the form of carts and the like which serve as carriers for packages to be donned on textile machines, or as receptacles for packages dotted from such machines, have always been important accessories for attendants or operators of textile winding machines. This is particularly so where so-called automatic winding machines are employed since efiicient means must be at hand continually to cope with the high productivity of such machines. The invention disclosed herein represents a significant advance over the bobbin transporting mechanisms of the prior art by greatly reducing the necessary amount of exertion required by an operator in manipulating the bobbin cart during donning, doffing, and other operations, thereby contributing to increased efiiciency of said operator.

The bobbin transporting mechanism of the instant invention is constructed so as to require little in the way of maintenance, upkeep or instruction to the operator who is using it. A handle adjacent one end of a bobbin receptacle or cart is movable by the operator and engagea-ble with mechanism to advance the cart from station to station of a winding machine. At the option of the operator, the handle can be moved to a neutral position wherein the cart will remain at the desired location, neither advancing nor retreating. Finally, the handle is movable to a third or reverse position. Upon release of the operators grip, resilient means and the force of gravity act together to drop the handle to its reverse position thereby engaging mechanism to return the cart to its starting point.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bobbin transporting mechanism of semi-automatic operation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a readily engageable handle adjacent one side of a bobbin transporting mechanism having a bobbin receptacle, the handle being operable to advance the receptacle, stop the receptacle, or cause the receptacle to return to its starting point.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin transporting mechanism powered from a movable belt, the belt being operable to move the mechanism selectively in opposite directions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a powered bobbin transporting mechanism with a handle operable upon movement by the operator to advance the mechanism but which is biased to return the mechanism to its initial position upon its release by the operator.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the ice provision of a powered bobbin transporting mechanism having a handle operable upon movement by the operator to advance the mechanism, but which is selectively biased into a holding position upon release of the handle by the operator wherein said mechanism remains in the position at which the handle was released.

Other and further objects will become apparent upon a reading of the specification which follows when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the bobbin transporting mechanism mounted adjacent a rn-ulli-station winding machine;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view, with sections broken away, of the main trolley assembly of the bob-bin transporting mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view showing in detail the pawl and detent device which serves to disengage the bobbin receptacle of the bobbin transporting mechanism from the drive means;

FIG. 5 is a detail showing of mechanism for holding the operating handle in the neutral position;

FIG. 6 is a detail view in section taken along lines 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the mechanism for stopping the bobbin receptacle at the one end of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof. a bobbin transporting mechanism generally indicated at 16 is shown engaged with track 12 which is secured to support member 13 located at the front base portion of a multiple station winding machine generally indicated at 14. The winding machine 14 may be of the automatic type well known in the art, and for purposes of this description the apparatus of the instant invention is illustrated with such a machine. However, the invention disclosed herein is not intended to be limited to use solely with such automatic machine. In actuality, the transporting mechanism of the present invention may be employed adjacent any machine to which articles are to be brought or from which articles are to be removed at various points thereon.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the bobbin transporting mechanism is seen to include a receptacle or box 16 having four walls and a floor formed to receive bobbins or other yarn packages therein and carried on conventional wheels 17. If desired, the box may be of the type having a conventional false bottom which is elevated or lowered in accordance with the weight of the yarn packages supported thereon. Viewing FIG. 1 the trolley mechanism generally indicated at 18, which en gages and drives box 16 includes strap 19 which is secured at one end as by a pin (not shown) on drive plate 20. The opposite end of strap 19 is connected to a pin 21 mounted in a bracket 62.

Viewing FIG. 3 it will be seen that means in the form of rollers are provided to guide box 16 longitudinally of the winding machine 14. As shown therein an upper roller 22, rotatably supported on a stud 23 projecting from the interior wall at one end of drive plate 20, engages with the upper or top side of track 12. In similar fashion, a lower roller 24 is arranged to rotate on a stud 25 embedded in and extending from the interior wall of drive plate 20. Roller 24 engages the lower side of track 12 in vertical alignment with roller 22. A further set of rollers similar in form and mounting to rollers 22, 24 are provided at the opposite end of drive plate 20, this further set of rollers not being illustrated herein.

Two bearing blocks 26 and 28 (FIG. 2) are fixed to drive plate at spaced positions. Each said bearing block 3 26, 28 has a bore formed therethrough for slideable receiving shaft 30 therein. A collar 32 is fixed to shaft 30 between bearing blocks 26 and 28 and has an outwardly extending pin member 33 secured thereto. A compression spring 34 surrounds shaft 30 and extends between a fixed collar 35 and said collar 32 to generally urge the collar 32 toward bearing block 28. A retainer block 36 is also fixed to drive plate 20 and has one end of a centerless plunger tube 38 slidably received in and passing through a bore in said block. The left-hand end of plunger tube 38 (FIG. 2) is aflixed to a terminal block 42. In turn, said block 42 has an enlarged aperture therethrough, and shaft 30 is freely slidable through said aperture. Thus, plunger tube 38 and terminal block 42 are slidable as an integral unit. The opposite end of said plunger tube 38, i.e., the right-hand end as viewed in FIG. 2, has a stop member 40 formed thereon. The inside diameter of the plunger tube 38 is suificiently large to permit shaft 30 to slide therewithin. A second spring'44 is received on shaft 30 between bearing block 28 and terminal block 42 and serves to urge the latter into engagement with retainer block 36. A bumper member 46 having a tip of rubber or other resilient material formed thereon is suitably mounted to terminal block 42 essentially parallel to and spaced from said shaft 30.

As best seen in FIG. 4 detent 48 is formed in shaft 30 and is engageable by pawl 50. It will be understood that a hole .drilled into terminal block42 receives pawl 50 which has a shoulder integral therewith. The upper portion of the pawl receiving hole is tapped and receives screw 56 in fastening engagement, said screw bearing against one end of compression spring 58. The other end of spring 58 is in engagement on the shOlllder of pawl 50. A hole 60 is also formed in tube 38 to permit pawl 50 to pass therethrough for engagement with detent 48.

Referring again to FIG. 2, bearing block 26, which has already been described as being bored through, has an elongated tube 59 seated in said bore. The left-hand end of tube 59 (FIG. 2) has a collar of enlarged diameter aflixed thereto as by a set screw or the like, not illustrated. Tube 59 receives shaft 30 therethrough for sliding move- 7 ment axially thereof. Leftwardly of block 26, as viewed in FIG. 2, there is a further bearing block 61 fastened to drive plate 20. Bearing block 61 has an aperture therethrough. Tube 59 extends through said aperture of block 61 and is fitted for sliding movement therein. The'extreme left-hand end of tube 59, as viewed in FIG. 2 has a cup-shaped member 63 afiixed tightly thereon.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1 and 3, wheel bracket 62 is fixed to drive plate 20 by screws or other suitable means not herein illustrated. Strut 66 is also fastened near the outer extremity of the wheel bracket 62 and extends downwardly therefrom. The lowermost portion of strut 66 mounts in any suitable and conventional fashion on axle 75 on which a wheel 76 is rotatably mounted. Thus, the construction of the means supporting box 16 and trolley mechanism 18 has been disclosed as rollers 22 and 24 engaging track 12, and wheels 17 and 76 which ride on the floor.

With reference now to FIG. 3, drive bracket 78 is also fastened to plate 20 and extends inwardly in a direction toward machine member 13. A bearing block 82 is secured to drive bracket 78 and extends upwardly therefrom. Interconnecting holes (not shown) are formed through wheel bracket 62, drive plate 20, drive bracket 78, and

bearing block 82 to receive the generally horizontal shaft 84 of handle member 86 therewithin for pivotal movement. Collar 88 is fixed on shaft 84 by a set screw or other suitable fastening means (not shown) adjacent bearing block 82 for securing handle member 86 against axial movement. Operating disc 92 is fastened to the end of shaft 84, said disc being separated from hearing block 82 by a bushing 93. A pair of drive studs 98 and 100 are press-fitted into holes formed in one side of said operating disc 92. These drive studs project from disc 92 in a direction generally parallel to element 84. Sleeves 104 of brass, bronze, or other relatively soft material are press-fitted onto studs 98, 100. Belt drive bracket 106 is mounted to drive bracket 78 by means of bolts 108. A substantially horizontal belt drive plate 110 extends away from the upstanding leg 111 of bracket 106. Said plate 110 is upwardly from bracket 78 and is positioned between the upper and lower runs or straps, 114 and 116 respectively, of an endless drive belt 118.

One end of the winding machine 14 has an upstanding channel member 120 secured thereto, see FIG. 2, which serves as a mount for an electric motor M. In turn, motor M is provided with atransmission T for driving pulley P. Pulley P receives drive belt 118 thereon to be driven by motor M through transmission T. Thus, translational movement is imparted to belt 118. Idler pulleys 122 cooperate in directing the belt into a path adjacent and parallel to the front side of the winding machine.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 7, blocks 124 are fixed to the track 12 at both ends of the winding machine to limit the travel of trolley 18 in its forward and rearward directions. Only one such block 124 is illustrated herein. However, it will be understood that the further block at the opposite end of the machine will be identical in construction and function. Each block 124 slidingly receives a rod 125 therethrough having an enlarged nose portion 126, which is preferably covered with rubber V or other resilient material. As seen in FIG. 7, rod 125 is pierced adjacent the end distant from its enlarged nose portion to receive pin 128 therethrough. Further, a compression spring 130 is received on rod 125 between nose 126 and block 124. Consequently, spring 130 urges pin 128 into engagementwith block 124. Rod 125 is coaxial with plunger 38 such that at one end (see FIG. 1) of I the trolley mechanism nose 126 is 'engageable by stop member 40 serving to limit the travel of the trolley 18 on track 12. At the other end of the winding machine (see FIG. 2), nose 126 of the travel limitmember is disposed to engage cup 63, then shaft 30 to likewise limit the travel of the trolley 18.

A cam sleeve 132 is secured to the upward extending portion of the handle 86 and is selectively engageable with pin 33 or bumper member 46, see FIGS.,2 and 6.

A pawl 134, see FIG. 6, is mounted in a bore (not shown) which passes through cam sleeve 132 and handle 86.

Having a construction similar to that shown in FIGURE 4, adjustment screw 138 is formed with a knurled head. and engages one end of a spring (not shown) whose other end engages ashoulder on pawl 134. An arcuate channel slot 142 formed on the front surface of bearing block 28 serves as a detent to receive pawl 134' therein justment screw 138 thereby eliminating the force of the biasing spring.

The structure of the powered bobbin cart having been described in detail, its operation will now be presented. Let it be assumed that the operator of a machine such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 moves from right to left 7 while donning and dofling packages. In such circumstances, and in accordance with the present invention, the bobbin cart, when not in use, would automatically home or come to rest at the right-handend of winding machine 14 with nose 126 of limit member 125 engaging stop member 40. In order for the trolley .18 to assume the rest position now being considered, stop member 40 would initially engage nose 126 thereby forcing plunger 38 to the left as seen in FIG. 1. The purpose of spring 130 is to reduce the shock of the impact between element 46 and 126 as the trolley 18 moves toward the limit of its travel. Movement of the plunger 38 to the left also moves terminal block 42 to the left, viewing FIG. 2, and compressing spring 44 and bumper member 46 thereon until the point is reached at which pawl 50 drops into detent 48 of shaft 30. Cam sleeve 132 on handle 86 which is, at this point, in contact with bumper 46 is likewise moved somewhat to the left (FIG. 2) upon engagement of pawl 50 with detent 48. When the handle assumes this so-called rest position hearing against bumper 46, studs 98 and 100 are both in neutral position, that is, disengaged from their associated upper and lower straps 114 and 116 as shown in FIG. 3.

As the operator begins the tasks required on the winding machine such as donning and doffing, she advances to the left thereby moving in physical contact with the handle 86. Said handle 86 is thereby acted upon to pivot in a counterclockwise manner, viewing FIGS. 1 and 2. Such pivotal motion of the trolley handle rocks drive stud 98 and sleeve 104 into engagement with upper strap 114 of endless drive belt 118 and the strap in turn into engagement with belt drive pltae 110. It will be understood that belt 118 is, at this time, being driven by motor M. Also, in consequence of the counterclockwise movement of handle 86, cam sleeve 132 engages pin 33 to move shaft 30 to the left against the bias of spring 34. This leftward movement of shaft 30 draws detent 48 away from pawl 50 whereby terminal block 42 and plunger 38 are returned to the right under the influence of spring 44. Thus, with stud 98 bearing on strop 114 cart is moved along to the left (see FIGS. 1 and 2) at the speed of the belt. The upper run or strap 114 of belt 118 would, in this instance, be moving to the left as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 while the lower strap 116 would, of course, be moving oppositely, Should it be desired by the operator, the handle 86 may be pivoted slightly in the clockwise direction (FIG. 1) and manually held in order to again move the studs into neutral position and cease movement of the trolley. Should the operator move out of contact with the handle 86, the handle will rock in a clockwise manner under the initial thrust of spring 34 which will carry handle overcenter of its pivot point on shaft 84. The force of gravity acts to drop the handle, and cam 132 into final contact with bumper member 46. Thus, handle 86, in the absence of force applied thereto, will always tend to pivot clockwise when the operator moves away from physical contact therewith.

Although upon release, the handle Will always tend to pivot in a clockwise manner (see FIG. 1), pawl 134 may be activated by means of screw 138 such that said handle will only move to the neutral position, prevented from moving farther by means of raised portion 144 holding pawl 134 in slot 142. When the pawl is so actuated, the trolley 18 will not automatically return to the rest position adjacent the right-hand end of the winding machine, but will merely remain in whatever position it assumes at the time the handle is released. In this event trolley 18 will not move in either direction, but will remain stationary.

When trolley 18 is advanced to the left-hand end of the winding machine, the nose 126 of rod 125 engages the open end of cup 63 thus compressing spring 34 and operating to reduce the shock of the impact as trolley 18 moves toward the left-hand limit of its travel. Shortly after cup 63 strikes portion 126, the end of shaft 30 likewise strikes said portion 126 which causes a positive termination of movement of the bobbin cart 10.

Thus has then been disclosed herein a novel bobbin cart of simple design and facile operation serving the primary purpose of substantially lightening the operators work load for increased efliciency in the textile winding process. Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the in- '6 vention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings will be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A bobbin transporting mechanism comprising, a receptacle for receiving bobbins, drive means for advancing said receptacle, clutch means operable to couple said receptacle to said drive means for moving said receptacle in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, control means for operating said clutch means, said control means being selectively movable between a first position to operate said clutch means for advancing said receptacle in said first direction and a second position to operate said clutch means for moving said receptacle in said second direction, limit means engageable by said control means and substantially defining said second position, and means mounting said control means for movement between said first and second positions and located relative to said limit means to bias said control means from said second position to said first position.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes an endless driving member and a plurality of guide elements to direct said driving member into a path having two oppositely movable spans.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes an operating handle and wherein said clutch means includes a first stud fixed to said handle for engagement with one of said spans and a second stud fixed to said handle for engagement with the other of said spans upon selective movement of said handle.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said limit means includes a collar and resilient means biasing said collar to move said handle toward said first position to advance said receptacle in said first direction.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3 including detent means holding said handle in an intermediate position between said first and second positions wherein said first and second studs are held out of engagement with both said spans.

6. In combination with a multiple station winding machine, a bobbin transporting mechanism for carrying bobbins to positions adjacent the several winding stations comprising, a receptacle for receiving bobbins, a continuous track extending proximate to said winding stations, guide means on said receptacle engageable with said track for guiding said receptacle along said track, drive means for advancing said receptacle, clutch means operable to couple said receptacle to said drive means for moving said receptacle in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, control means for operating said clutch means, said control means being selectively movable between a first position to operate said clutch means for advancing said receptacle in said first direction and a second position to operate said clutch means for moving said receptacle in said second direction, limit means engageable by said control means substantially defining said second position, and means mounting said control means for movement between said first and second positions and located relative to said limit means to bias said control means from said second position to said first position.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means includes an operating handle and wherein said clutch means includes a first stud fixed to said handle for engagement with one of said spans and a second stud fixed to said handle for engagement with the other of said spans upon selective movement of said handle.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said limit means includes a collar and resilient means biasing said collar to move said handle toward said first position to advance said receptacle in said first direction.

9. In combination with a multiple station winding machine, bobbin transporting mechanism for handling bobbins at positions adjacent the several winding stations comprising, a bobbin receiving receptacle, support means for said receptacle, a plurality of rollers mounted on said support, a continuous. track mounted .on said winding machine and extending the several winding sta- :tions, said track being adapted to receive said rollers in rolling engagement thereon, first and second bearing members spaced apart and fixed on said support, each of said bearing members having coaxial bores formed therewithin adapted to slidingly receive a shaft, a collar fixed to said shaft between said first and second bearing means and including a pin extending outwardly therefrom, first resilient means urging said collar toward said second hearing member, stop means having a bore formed therein coaxial with the bores of said bearing members and adapted to slidingly receive said shaft, a holding member having a bore formed therewithin coaxial with the bores of said bearing members and slidingly received on said shaft, a stop block fixed to said support means and having a bore formed therewithin coaxial with the bore of said bearing members, said stop block slidingly receiving a stop tube therein, second resilient means urging said holding member away from said second bearing means and into engagement with said stop block, a handle pivotally mounted on said support means, a cam on said handle engageable with said pin, a source of motive power, an endless belt driven by said power source having a first portion moving in a first direction and a second -portion moving in a direction opposite from said first portion, each said portion extending generally parallel to said shaft, and clutch means fixed to said handle means including a pair of parallel spaced apart studs extending generally perpendicular to said belt means, said studs movable through an arcuate path upon pivotal movement of said handle to engage said belt, one said stud being engageable with said first portion to move said receptacle in a first direction, the other said stud being engageable with said second portion to move said receptacle in a second direction.

10. The structure set forth in claim 9 where-in said shaft is formed with detent means and wherein said holding member includes pawl means engageable with saiddetent means, resilient means biasing said pawl means.

into engagement with said detent means whereby said holding member engages said cam to disengage said studs from said belt means.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10 further including a bumper fixed to said track adjacent one end thereof, said bumper engageable with said stop tube thereby causing engagement of said pawl means with said detent means to terminate movement'of said receptacle.

12. The combination as set forth in'claim ;6 wherein said drive means includes an endless driving member and a plurality of guide elements to direct said driving memher into a path having two oppositely movable spans.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said control means includes an operating handle and wherein said clutch means includes a first stud fixed to said handle for engagement with one of said spans and a second stud fixed to said handle for engagement with the other of said spans upon selective movement of said handle.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including detent means holding said handle in an intermediate po sition between said first and second positions wherein said first and second studs are held out of engagement with both said spans.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,838,052 12/1931 Cocker 24235.5 1,983,508 12/1934 Cocker. 2,010,465 8/ 1935 Reiners et al. 24235.5 3,099,410 7/ 1963 Chambley 242-35.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 563,594 11/ 1932 Germany.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

